ending

noun

end·​ing ˈen-diŋ 

: something that constitutes an end: such as

a

: conclusion

a movie with a happy ending

b

: one or more letters or syllables added to a word base especially in inflection

Synonyms of ending

• end
• conclusion
• finale
• closing
• culmination
• close

Examples of ending in a Sentence

I didn't like the book's ending.

Common verb endings in English are “-s,” “-ed,” and “-ing.”

You can often recognize an English adverb by its “-ly” ending.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Price of Confession has a happy ending of sorts. —Kayti Burt, Time, 5 Dec. 2025

But for the rest of the viewers, the ending was anything but predictable. —Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025

The Magic have won nine of their previous 12 games, and looked to be going into overtime in their last game, before a questionable whistle decided the ending. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

As such, Paul remains in limbo with a surprising divorce on the horizon after what promised to be such a sweet fairytale ending. —Patrick Sung, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ending

• nerve ending
• never-ending

Rhymes for ending

• bending
• blending
• fending
• lending
• mending
• pending
• rending
• sending
• spending
• tending
• trending
• vending

Kids Definition

ending

noun

end·​ing ˈen-diŋ 

: the final part : conclusion, end

a novel with a happy ending